Android auto usability?

While waiting for my Touring XT Abyss Blue Pearl to arrive, I've got a question for those of you who already have taken delivery. (I was reading the online .pdf manuals, but am not certain about what I'm reading.)

 

Do you need either the of the Subaru mobile apps -- MySubaru or Subaru Starlink -- to use Android Auto (or Apple CarPlay)?

 

The reviews for Starlink app in Google Play were astonishingly bad -- nearly every review was 1 star. I was therefore wondering if these were required for AA, or not?

 

And I guess more importantly -- For those of you with a 2020 already -- what's your experience thus far with Android Auto (or CarPlay)?

 

Thanks.

I don't need it on my 2018, so I can't imagine you'd need it on the new HUs

I don't need it on my 2018, so I can't imagine you'd need it on the new HUs

 

Thanks. That's encouraging and what I was hoping to hear.

You don't need either of those to run AA or Carplay. The Mysubaru one is the app that you can have run as a remote start from your phone. (subscription for anywhere from 3-7 years)